Acts 23
The heat’s rising, but God’s not done with Paul yet. As in chapter 18, now again God speaks a timely word of encouragement to the battle-tested missionary. One can only imagine the sense of peace and power and presence Paul experienced as “the Lord stood by him” and spoke that night.
There’s an unsung hero in this story, as well. To fulfill His word to Paul, God brings a young man (Paul’s nephew) into the picture to save Paul’s life.
You have to understand the Jews were fuming by this time. They wanted Paul dead so desperately that they bound themselves with an oath to not eat or drink until they had killed him! Sure hope their last meal was a good one.
Our real hero in this story, though, is God, who foiled their plans through the courageous actions of Paul’s nephew. It would have taken a supernatural courage for this young man to approach Paul with the news he’d overheard of the plot against him. And it would have taken even more bravery for him to go to the Roman commander to inform him! He literally risked his own life to save Paul’s!
Amazing, too, is that this commander listened to the boy and accepted his word as true, and then acted in response. But surely by now we know that our Hero does some amazing things to fulfill His word!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Who's Got a Testimony?
Acts 22
Paul never got over his salvation, and he never hesitated to tell people about it. We find Paul here in the midst of an angry mob that wants to kill him. Yet what’s on Paul’s mind? A chance to give his testimony!
He literally begs the Roman commander guarding him to let him speak to the crowd. And God, for His purposes, grants the request. Paul’s testimony provides a pretty good model for our own.
First he tells about his life before his encounter with Jesus, speaking of his upbringing, his misguided zeal for God and his persecution of those who followed the Way of Christ Jesus.
Then he describes his conversion experience. He explains how the risen Lord appeared to him, revealed Himself and led him into Damascus. He details the way Jesus sent Ananias to deliver God’s message and give Paul His mission. Paul says that he was baptized, that his sins were washed away and he called upon the name of Jesus for salvation.
Paul barely had a chance to begin telling them how the Lord was working in his life from that time forward before the crowds had heard enough and were ready to put him to death. Whatever the outcome, Paul never got over his salvation, and he never missed a chance to tell about what Jesus had done for him and what He could do for others.
Paul never got over his salvation, and he never hesitated to tell people about it. We find Paul here in the midst of an angry mob that wants to kill him. Yet what’s on Paul’s mind? A chance to give his testimony!
He literally begs the Roman commander guarding him to let him speak to the crowd. And God, for His purposes, grants the request. Paul’s testimony provides a pretty good model for our own.
First he tells about his life before his encounter with Jesus, speaking of his upbringing, his misguided zeal for God and his persecution of those who followed the Way of Christ Jesus.
Then he describes his conversion experience. He explains how the risen Lord appeared to him, revealed Himself and led him into Damascus. He details the way Jesus sent Ananias to deliver God’s message and give Paul His mission. Paul says that he was baptized, that his sins were washed away and he called upon the name of Jesus for salvation.
Paul barely had a chance to begin telling them how the Lord was working in his life from that time forward before the crowds had heard enough and were ready to put him to death. Whatever the outcome, Paul never got over his salvation, and he never missed a chance to tell about what Jesus had done for him and what He could do for others.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Ultimate Gain
Acts 21
As the journey unfolds, Paul’s conviction to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit grows stronger. Even though dangers await him in Jerusalem, and even though his own friends urge him not to go, he’s more surrendered to the will of God than ever. Such is the passion of those who deny themselves and take up their crosses daily to follow Jesus their Lord.
Here’s how Paul saw it: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).
Again: “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:20-21).
All this from the heart of the man who counts believers as “more than conquerors through him who loved us,” and was convinced that nothing in all creation, neither life nor even death, “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38).
So then it’s not surprising to hear him say to his well-intentioned friends, “I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 13). To Paul, dying for Christ would be the ultimate gain.
As the journey unfolds, Paul’s conviction to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit grows stronger. Even though dangers await him in Jerusalem, and even though his own friends urge him not to go, he’s more surrendered to the will of God than ever. Such is the passion of those who deny themselves and take up their crosses daily to follow Jesus their Lord.
Here’s how Paul saw it: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).
Again: “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:20-21).
All this from the heart of the man who counts believers as “more than conquerors through him who loved us,” and was convinced that nothing in all creation, neither life nor even death, “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38).
So then it’s not surprising to hear him say to his well-intentioned friends, “I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 13). To Paul, dying for Christ would be the ultimate gain.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tears with the Territory
Acts 20
There have been a couple of times I’ve had to say tearful good-byes to dear friends. When my wife and I left Calvary Baptist Church in Rockford for seminary, while we rejoiced in the new direction the Lord set before us, we wept with those who had become so precious to us. It’s one of the hardest things in life to do.
This account of Paul’s final good-bye to the elders in Ephesus stirs up all those emotions afresh. Imagine the scene, as these beloved brothers in Christ with whom Paul had lived and ministered for three years gathered on the shore. They had formed a bond in the Lord, solidified through trials and tears. They had engaged together in the work of the gospel, proclaiming Jesus as Lord and establishing the local church.
Paul’s farewell address leaves their hearts in agony, and with much weeping, sorrow and embracing, they wave good-bye for the last time. They know they’ll never see his face again.
For Paul, it’s been his new way of life. The Holy Spirit has compelled him to go to Jerusalem, where the only thing he’s sure of is that imprisonment and affliction await. But, O, for the resolve of Paul’s heart! The only thing that mattered to him was to finish the course. His own life he counted as nothing. His sole desire was to keep testifying to the gospel of the grace of God, by which he had been saved, and in which he stood. Sometimes tears come with the territory.
There have been a couple of times I’ve had to say tearful good-byes to dear friends. When my wife and I left Calvary Baptist Church in Rockford for seminary, while we rejoiced in the new direction the Lord set before us, we wept with those who had become so precious to us. It’s one of the hardest things in life to do.
This account of Paul’s final good-bye to the elders in Ephesus stirs up all those emotions afresh. Imagine the scene, as these beloved brothers in Christ with whom Paul had lived and ministered for three years gathered on the shore. They had formed a bond in the Lord, solidified through trials and tears. They had engaged together in the work of the gospel, proclaiming Jesus as Lord and establishing the local church.
Paul’s farewell address leaves their hearts in agony, and with much weeping, sorrow and embracing, they wave good-bye for the last time. They know they’ll never see his face again.
For Paul, it’s been his new way of life. The Holy Spirit has compelled him to go to Jerusalem, where the only thing he’s sure of is that imprisonment and affliction await. But, O, for the resolve of Paul’s heart! The only thing that mattered to him was to finish the course. His own life he counted as nothing. His sole desire was to keep testifying to the gospel of the grace of God, by which he had been saved, and in which he stood. Sometimes tears come with the territory.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Putting the Idol-Makers Out of Business
Acts 19
Where the word of God is preached, trouble’s not far behind. The pattern continues for Paul, yet he is unfazed. His mission is to preach the gospel, and neither stones nor lashes nor prison nor mocking nor rioting would dissuade him from the high call of the Lord Jesus to proclaim His salvation.
In Ephesus the root of the rioting was the love of money. That’s the root of all kinds of evil, Paul would later write to Timothy – the love of money. Here, as the word of the kingdom of God is preached, as the Holy Spirit falls upon the believers, as extraordinary miracles are being done in the name of Jesus, lo and behold, the idol craftsmen start to lose some business!
God speed the day when the liquor store owners, cigarette manufacturers, pornographers, casino operators and immoral media producers raise a riot in this land against Christians because the word of God is being preached, multitudes of people believe the gospel, and start turning away from all these wicked idols they’ve poured their money into!
Paul never set out to put these idol-makers out of business. He did not organize protests outside of their shops or petition the local government to enact zoning ordinances against them. That wasn’t his calling. Preaching the gospel was! That’s our calling, too, dear Christian. Preach the word! That’ll change this world, and may even raise a riot.
Where the word of God is preached, trouble’s not far behind. The pattern continues for Paul, yet he is unfazed. His mission is to preach the gospel, and neither stones nor lashes nor prison nor mocking nor rioting would dissuade him from the high call of the Lord Jesus to proclaim His salvation.
In Ephesus the root of the rioting was the love of money. That’s the root of all kinds of evil, Paul would later write to Timothy – the love of money. Here, as the word of the kingdom of God is preached, as the Holy Spirit falls upon the believers, as extraordinary miracles are being done in the name of Jesus, lo and behold, the idol craftsmen start to lose some business!
God speed the day when the liquor store owners, cigarette manufacturers, pornographers, casino operators and immoral media producers raise a riot in this land against Christians because the word of God is being preached, multitudes of people believe the gospel, and start turning away from all these wicked idols they’ve poured their money into!
Paul never set out to put these idol-makers out of business. He did not organize protests outside of their shops or petition the local government to enact zoning ordinances against them. That wasn’t his calling. Preaching the gospel was! That’s our calling, too, dear Christian. Preach the word! That’ll change this world, and may even raise a riot.
Friday, February 18, 2011
God's Encouragement to a Faithful Servant
Acts 18
Make no mistake about it: the way of the cross is hard. If it’s a life of comfort and convenience you want, then don’t try to follow after Christ. If your personal safety and ease are what you value most highly, the Christian life is not for you.
Sound harsh? Try explaining your version of Christianity to Paul. Everywhere he went he ran into opposition. Go back and reread Acts 9:16. This was Paul’s experience. And he rejoiced in it! For the sake of knowing Christ he endured all kinds of hardships and sufferings and persecutions. For the sake of the church he persevered so that others may too obtain salvation.
It was certainly no different in Corinth, as we see in this chapter. I love the description in v. 5 that says “Paul was occupied with the word.” He kept on carrying out the work God had given him to do, even though his witness for Christ brought more trouble. With all that Paul experienced, it would have been easy for him to give up. But God built him up!
The Lord introduced him to some new friends – Aquila and Priscilla. Silas and Timothy rejoined him. God kept giving him new converts. And the Lord himself spoke to Paul in a vision.
Maybe you’re following the Lord, denying yourself and taking up your cross, but you’re in a funk of discouragement. Hear this and take courage: “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you…” (vv. 9-10).
Make no mistake about it: the way of the cross is hard. If it’s a life of comfort and convenience you want, then don’t try to follow after Christ. If your personal safety and ease are what you value most highly, the Christian life is not for you.
Sound harsh? Try explaining your version of Christianity to Paul. Everywhere he went he ran into opposition. Go back and reread Acts 9:16. This was Paul’s experience. And he rejoiced in it! For the sake of knowing Christ he endured all kinds of hardships and sufferings and persecutions. For the sake of the church he persevered so that others may too obtain salvation.
It was certainly no different in Corinth, as we see in this chapter. I love the description in v. 5 that says “Paul was occupied with the word.” He kept on carrying out the work God had given him to do, even though his witness for Christ brought more trouble. With all that Paul experienced, it would have been easy for him to give up. But God built him up!
The Lord introduced him to some new friends – Aquila and Priscilla. Silas and Timothy rejoined him. God kept giving him new converts. And the Lord himself spoke to Paul in a vision.
Maybe you’re following the Lord, denying yourself and taking up your cross, but you’re in a funk of discouragement. Hear this and take courage: “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you…” (vv. 9-10).
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Message of Salvation
Acts 17
The message of Christ Jesus never changes. The gospel of salvation in Christ is the same for every generation throughout the ages and for every nation under heaven. The good news is that Jesus died in our place on the cross to bear God’s wrath against our sin, that He was buried and rose from the dead on the third day, and now lives forevermore. And all who repent of sin and turn in faith to Christ will be saved from death and receive abundant and eternal life!
The method of communicating this message to the world, however, changes. Speaking in the synagogue with the Jews, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures…” Jesus as the Christ. They would have understood and acknowledged the authority of Scripture. And many did, in fact, believe!
With the Greeks in the marketplace and before the philosophers, Paul tailored the method to their spiritual level. They were worshipping idols made of material things by human hands. Paul proclaimed what they worshiped as “unknown” the God of heaven, the Creator of all things, and His righteous judgment against the world through His Son whom He raised from the dead! And some believed!
These were “strange things” Paul was bringing to their ears! And not only did Paul simply present the information, he was persuading them to repent as God commands of all people everywhere. That’s still the message our world needs today.
The message of Christ Jesus never changes. The gospel of salvation in Christ is the same for every generation throughout the ages and for every nation under heaven. The good news is that Jesus died in our place on the cross to bear God’s wrath against our sin, that He was buried and rose from the dead on the third day, and now lives forevermore. And all who repent of sin and turn in faith to Christ will be saved from death and receive abundant and eternal life!
The method of communicating this message to the world, however, changes. Speaking in the synagogue with the Jews, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures…” Jesus as the Christ. They would have understood and acknowledged the authority of Scripture. And many did, in fact, believe!
With the Greeks in the marketplace and before the philosophers, Paul tailored the method to their spiritual level. They were worshipping idols made of material things by human hands. Paul proclaimed what they worshiped as “unknown” the God of heaven, the Creator of all things, and His righteous judgment against the world through His Son whom He raised from the dead! And some believed!
These were “strange things” Paul was bringing to their ears! And not only did Paul simply present the information, he was persuading them to repent as God commands of all people everywhere. That’s still the message our world needs today.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
He Leadeth Me
Acts 16
There are times when I desperately wish God would write out His directions for me in the sky, or at least send a text message detailing what He wants me to do. I know His will is made clear in His word, but wouldn’t it be nice to get the specific directions once in a while?
If you feel that way, too, it may be encouraging to know that even the great apostle Paul and his protégé Timothy had to learn to follow the Spirit’s guidance. They had wanted to take the gospel east to Asia, but were forbidden by the Spirit. So they decided they’d go north to Bithynia, but again the Spirit closed the door.
The Bible doesn’t say exactly how the Spirit worked to prevent them from going where they thought they were needed. It’s not like their motives were wrong. Could it have been lack of transportation, weather-related issues, illness, or some prophetic word spoken to them? Did they not sense the peace of the Spirit as they prepared to go?
Whatever happened, God had other plans. He revealed His direction to Paul through a vision, and the missionary team obeyed immediately. There was a woman named Lydia who needed to hear the gospel in Macedonia. There was a slave girl who needed to be freed from an evil spirit. There was a Philippian jailer who needed to be saved. And as they followed, no doubt the song they sung was, “He Leadeth Me.”
There are times when I desperately wish God would write out His directions for me in the sky, or at least send a text message detailing what He wants me to do. I know His will is made clear in His word, but wouldn’t it be nice to get the specific directions once in a while?
If you feel that way, too, it may be encouraging to know that even the great apostle Paul and his protégé Timothy had to learn to follow the Spirit’s guidance. They had wanted to take the gospel east to Asia, but were forbidden by the Spirit. So they decided they’d go north to Bithynia, but again the Spirit closed the door.
The Bible doesn’t say exactly how the Spirit worked to prevent them from going where they thought they were needed. It’s not like their motives were wrong. Could it have been lack of transportation, weather-related issues, illness, or some prophetic word spoken to them? Did they not sense the peace of the Spirit as they prepared to go?
Whatever happened, God had other plans. He revealed His direction to Paul through a vision, and the missionary team obeyed immediately. There was a woman named Lydia who needed to hear the gospel in Macedonia. There was a slave girl who needed to be freed from an evil spirit. There was a Philippian jailer who needed to be saved. And as they followed, no doubt the song they sung was, “He Leadeth Me.”
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Better Than I Deserve
Acts 15
In response to the question, “How are you doing?” my Granddad would usually reply, “Better than I deserve.” He understood something of a grace given to him of which he was unworthy. God’s grace goes even further. Because of sin we’re all unworthy of His favor, yet He pours out His goodness and mercy upon us in Christ Jesus, even though what we really deserve is His wrath!
In this chapter there’s a hardcore group of Pharisees insisting that the Gentiles who come to faith in Christ must be circumcised according the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas had been preaching the gospel of God’s grace to the nations, and many had become disciples. But some objected and caused quite a dissension over the matter of circumcision.
The primary argument comes down to this: Is salvation a free gift of God’s grace available through faith? Or, must one also keep the law of Moses in order to be saved? Paul deals with this repeatedly in his letters to the churches in Rome, Galatia, Philippi and others. Emphatically, the answer comes down to God’s grace in Christ Jesus! As Peter addresses this pivotal Jewish Council in Acts 15, God’s own activity takes center stage. As you hear his speech (vv. 7-11), listen for the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus to break the chains of enslavement to the law. Then lift your heart in praise to the One who gave Himself on the cross to save you from sin and death. You’re doing much better than you deserve!
In response to the question, “How are you doing?” my Granddad would usually reply, “Better than I deserve.” He understood something of a grace given to him of which he was unworthy. God’s grace goes even further. Because of sin we’re all unworthy of His favor, yet He pours out His goodness and mercy upon us in Christ Jesus, even though what we really deserve is His wrath!
In this chapter there’s a hardcore group of Pharisees insisting that the Gentiles who come to faith in Christ must be circumcised according the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas had been preaching the gospel of God’s grace to the nations, and many had become disciples. But some objected and caused quite a dissension over the matter of circumcision.
The primary argument comes down to this: Is salvation a free gift of God’s grace available through faith? Or, must one also keep the law of Moses in order to be saved? Paul deals with this repeatedly in his letters to the churches in Rome, Galatia, Philippi and others. Emphatically, the answer comes down to God’s grace in Christ Jesus! As Peter addresses this pivotal Jewish Council in Acts 15, God’s own activity takes center stage. As you hear his speech (vv. 7-11), listen for the gospel of the grace of the Lord Jesus to break the chains of enslavement to the law. Then lift your heart in praise to the One who gave Himself on the cross to save you from sin and death. You’re doing much better than you deserve!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Through Many Tribulations
Acts 14
One of the things you see clearly in the book of Acts is that the message of the gospel divides. When the apostles preached Jesus, people weren’t usually neutral about it. Either they embraced it as if they had been waiting for this all their lives, or they got so angry they wanted to kill the messengers.
Of course, Jesus had warned His followers that they would be hated by the world on His account. Christians ought never to be surprised when suffering comes for the sake of His name.
Makes you wonder if we’re really preaching Christ the way He ought to be preached. I know there’s a growing tide of opposition to the gospel of Jesus in our day, but I don’t really see the message dividing people the way it divided the world in Paul’s day. Many believed, but the rest wanted to throw stones. Is our culture so less passionate about spiritual things, so “tolerant” of everyone’s views that they don’t really care? Or are we not “speaking in such a way” that draws a line?
Now more than ever we need the boldness of Paul and Barnabas to preach the uncompromising message of salvation in Christ Jesus alone. We need their courage in the face of mounting opposition. We need their perseverance in the midst of increasing persecution. We need the grace of God to strengthen us in the call to preach and make disciples of all nations, knowing that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
One of the things you see clearly in the book of Acts is that the message of the gospel divides. When the apostles preached Jesus, people weren’t usually neutral about it. Either they embraced it as if they had been waiting for this all their lives, or they got so angry they wanted to kill the messengers.
Of course, Jesus had warned His followers that they would be hated by the world on His account. Christians ought never to be surprised when suffering comes for the sake of His name.
Makes you wonder if we’re really preaching Christ the way He ought to be preached. I know there’s a growing tide of opposition to the gospel of Jesus in our day, but I don’t really see the message dividing people the way it divided the world in Paul’s day. Many believed, but the rest wanted to throw stones. Is our culture so less passionate about spiritual things, so “tolerant” of everyone’s views that they don’t really care? Or are we not “speaking in such a way” that draws a line?
Now more than ever we need the boldness of Paul and Barnabas to preach the uncompromising message of salvation in Christ Jesus alone. We need their courage in the face of mounting opposition. We need their perseverance in the midst of increasing persecution. We need the grace of God to strengthen us in the call to preach and make disciples of all nations, knowing that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
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